Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban in front of his team as they prepare to take the field against the LSU Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. / John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports

by Corey Clark, USA TODAY Sports

by Corey Clark, USA TODAY Sports

There's a good chance the two men will be on opposite sidelines in about a month and a half. Out in Pasadena, Calif.

But on Wednesday night, when asked about how well his former assistant coach was doing at Florida State, Alabama head coach Nick Saban had nothing but glowing praise for Jimbo Fisher and his program.

"I think Jimbo has done a fantastic job," Saban said during his press conference. "You know, I always thought Jimbo was one of the best coaches we ever had. ... He did a fantastic job for us and I think he's done a fantastic job (at FSU)."

Saban's team is the reigning national champion, currently undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the nation. But he thinks the No. 2 Seminoles might be playing better than anyone in the country.

If both teams keep winning they'll meet in the BCS National Championship game on Jan. 6.

"I think, probably, if you look at the whole body of work and the way they beat people they're arguably the best team in the country right now," Saban said. "And they weren't that when he went there. So they've made a significant amount of improvement.

"And he's done a very good job of recruiting and developing the players they have in the program. They've played really, really well and improved each year he's been there."

Alabama hosts Chattanooga this Saturday before closing out the regular season with a road game at Auburn.